Good run continues as KZN sides dominate

THE gloomy and rainy weather didn’t dampen the spirits of KwaZulu-Natal’s First Division sides after they dominated the top six in another positive weekend.

Although Thanda Royal Zulu’s match against Witbank Spurs in Richards Bay yesterday was called off because of a waterlogged pitch, they remained in fourth position, a point above Real Kings and two ahead of Royal Eagles.

Kings and Eagles climbed into the top half with their maiden victories of the season on Saturday, while AmaZulu extended their unbeaten start with a 2-2 draw in a top-of-thetable affair at Mthatha Bucks.

In Saturday’s big game, AmaZulu fought back from 2-0 at half-time to bank a point that kept them behind Bucks on goal difference.

Both teams have seven points from two wins and their drawn game. University of Pretoria also stand on seven points following their goalless outing against FC Cape Town, and hold third place on goal difference.

In the Eastern Cape, substitute attackers Sipheshile Nzimande and Nkanyiso Zungu fired second-half goals to cancel Bucks’ early blitz from Mashale Rantabane and Khotso Mokhele.

After giving up the lead to draw their two opening games, Kings finally came good when they beat Mbombela United 2-1.

The league rookies led 2-0 at one stage, with goals from Phumlani Gumede and Lindokuhle Mtshali on either side of the interval, before last season’s surprise play-off participants pulled a goal back via Zambian winger Clifford Mulenga.

Eagles finally spread their attacking wings and blasted coachless Cape Town All Stars 6-2 at Harry Gwala Stadium.

A double strike from Raymond Monama helped them to a 2-1 half-time lead, before Siyanda Ngubo’s brace and goals from Philani Cele and Phumelele Bhengu after the break secured their first win of the season under Serbian coach Kostadin Papic.

There was also a first win for Milano United, who edged Jomo Cosmos 2-1 to leave the Johannesburg side third-bottom and winless after three games.

Stellenbosch FC, also picked up their first three-pointer when they beat Magesi 2-0 in Limpopo.